Assignment 1 (Due: June 25, 2009, before 01:00pm)

I and group 1 members namely: Anthony Rigor Aguilar, Athina Alorro, Jerusalem Alvaira, Michael George Guanzon had an interview with the MIS Programmer of Dole Davao and her name is Cristine Galindo. The interview was conducted in Dole Satellite Office located in SJRDC Building at around 12 noon last Thursday. This interview was recorded through celfone recorder and PSP recorder.

Company Profile: Dole Philippines

Dole Food Company's worldwide team of growers, packers, processors, shippers and employees is committed to consistently providing safe, high-quality fresh fruit, vegetables, and food products, while protecting the environment in which its products are grown and processed. Dole's dedication to quality is a commitment solidly backed by: comprehensive programs for food safety, scientific crop protection programs, stringent quality control measures, state-of-the-art production and transportation technologies, continuous improvement through research and innovation, and dedication to the safety of our employees, communities and the environment. Dole is committed to nutrition education to communicate to the public the health benefits of eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Dole is a founding member of the National 5 A Day for Better Health Program and is a leader in developing technology-based nutrition education programs for children.

MissionDole Food Company, Inc. is committed to supplying the consumer and our customers with the finest, high-quality products and to leading the industry in nutrition research and education.

Dole supports these goals with a corporate philosophy of adhering to the highest ethical conduct in all its business dealings, treatment of its employees, and social and environmental policies.

Some of their best practices in IT/IS Davao:

1. Their systems are not centralized. According to Maam Cristine, their payroll, production, logistics, research and documentation, manufacturing have different systems. That is why they have internal IT personnel. For me, this is good because if one system will fail or crash, the other systems will not be affected. The whole operations of the company will still continue even if one system has failed.

2. When they develop or change any kind of systems, they conduct first a thorough system analysis. Maam Cristine said that the processes of making a system are system analysis, development, testing, and implementation. For me, this right because any single system of a big company like Dole has carried a lot of information and data and it is necessary to conduct a series of system analysis before any changes will be failed.

3. The IT/IS Department is divided into two groups. Maam Tina told us that the technical group is the one in charge of hardware maintenance and networking of hosts/computers. The other one is the application group that is composed of IT/IS software programmers. For me, this grouping of IT/IS personnel is necessary to have a separation and overlapping of responsibilities and duties.

4. The old and reliable systems should stay. Maam Tina mentioned that systems which are built before and still working robustly and perfectly should remain in IT/IS Department. For me, this is a right guideline. Why you change a system if it is still working perfectly according to the company’s needs. This saves money and time.

5. Integration of Systems. Maam Cristine spoke to us that integration of systems is important because for example their logistics system and production system have a common system to have a smooth delivery of company goods and services. For me, this is a right practice. Integration of systems means linking all different systems together to act as one powerful system that makes the whole process of company close to perfection.

6. Their IT/IS system is internal not outsourcing. Maam Tina believed that companies which have IT/IS System run by internal IT personnel get cheaper overhead cost in the long run. And it is good for the internal IT people because their programming skills will be honed more. In internal IT/IS System, the data files is more safe and secured. For me, internal IT/IS system is good for the IT employees because they have security of tenure. Unlike, the outsourcing companies, they only keep their employees as long as there are projects to be made. No projects, you are gone IT people.

7. Training is a must for IT/IS people. Maam Galindo expressed that consistent training for themselves is their tool for them to compete with the outsourcing IT people. Dole has annual budget for the training of their IT/IS Personnel. Maam Tina told us that what they learned from their trainings is for them to adopt the knowledge and make the company better. For me, being an IT/IS people is a continuing learning because Information Technology is the fast rising and fast changing technology right now.

8. Dole Asia is maintained by Filipino IT People. Maam Cristine stated that the web services and email services of Dole Latin America, Dole Hongkong, Dole Japan, Dole Korea and Dole Middle East are proudly managed and maintained by Pinoys like her. For me, this is the best. Filipinos can longer be left behind in any technology. Pinoy ITs can excel in information technology more there is proper trainings and seminars.

9. Dole IT/IS Data Security System is checked by respected company. Maam Tina talked that the vulnerability of their systems from hackers is verified by Verisign, a company based in overseas. They also use reliable firewalls for them to be secured from outside threat. For me, it is also better to have an outsourcing in the company once.

10. Making a backup copy of data files. Maam Galindo uttered that making a backup copy is standard operating operation procedures for all data that have stored in a database system. Maam Tina encourage us that we, students, must start from school to make backup copy of our own files just in case of operating system crash or hard disk crash. For me, making a backup copy of files is a must for the recovery of data that is too important for the organization’s stability and growth.

Emcor was founded in 1979 to provide risk management consulting services to multinational corporations and institutions, focusing on the applications and use of derivatives securities to hedge currency and in asset/liability management. Among other accomplishments, our firm pioneered the application of Value-at-Risk methodology (“VAR”) to multinational corporations, and of comprehensive risk management strategies for the energy price exposures of corporate users.

Since the early 1990s, Emcor has applied its experience at analyzing and solving complex financial issues for its clients to the process of evaluating hedge fund strategies and the development of customized investment products, utilizing alternative investments as the generator of alpha while maximizing capital preservation.

The development of customized asset allocation strategies is our principal activity today, and our recommendations to clients often translate into the development of multi-manager products. We have in-depth knowledge of asset and liability management, derivative products, and their application to investments. With this background, we are in the position to fully grasp the most complex investment strategies utilized by hedge fund managers.

We advise our clients on asset allocation strategies designed to achieve portfolio diversification and targeted risk-adjusted returns. Our advisory services to private clients and family offices focus on investments and financial exposures. For our clients we develop comprehensive asset allocation strategies or implement specific investments for their portfolios. Strategies are periodically reviewed with our clients to ensure they continue to meet their objectives and remain within the prescribed risk management parameters.

At Emcor, we made the decision long ago to outsource to specialist managers the entire investment management process. We can then concentrate our efforts in applying our expertise and experience to identify, evaluate, select and combine in a portfolio the best, most suitable managers. We do not manage assets directly however we often participate as investors in our products alongside our clients.

It is our commitment to identify and select for our clients the very best investment talent available. Our focus is on ‘specialist’ investment professionals whom we believe are best qualified to understand and benefit from the complexities today's as well as tomorrow's global markets.

Our efforts are also supported by an external team of experts who provide legal, tax, IT and other advisory services.

We distinguish ourselves because of the total transparency of our investment process and the experience, professionalism and integrity of our principals.

For institutional clients and family offices, we custom-design investment portfolios with specific characteristics as to strategic and sector allocation and market and manager exposure to meet the desired risk/reward profile. We have substantial experience in the development and management of ‘white-label’ or ‘private-label’ investment programs which utilize equity, fixed-income and other specialists investment managers. We successfully advised institutional clients in the development of multi-compartment mutual funds (UCITS/SICAV) domiciled in Dublin and Luxembourg, and were actively involved in their regulatory approval process and listing on the local Exchange. Our firm received approval by European regulators to act as investment advisor and allocator for traditional and alternative investment programs that can be distributed in the European Union.

Emcor maintains a proprietary database of traditional as well as alternative investment managers. Manager evaluation and selection are based on qualitative analysis of the manager’s strategy, performed by a team of investment professionals with extensive direct experience in hedge funds and risk management. Qualitative analysis helps assess the manager’s ability to generate returns, the strategy’s scalability, and its risk management process, including an extensive assessment of the operational risk of a manager. Quantitative studies help us analyze the manager’s historical risk/reward profile, its correlation to other managers, and its optimal percentage weighting in the portfolio.

Currency overlay programs allow investors with international exposures to separate the two risk components of investing internationally: the performance of the underlying investment and the risk associated with changes in the value of the currency in which the foreign investment is denominated.

Our firm was the first to obtain approval by the Luxembourg and Irish regulators to incorporate a dynamic currency hedging program within the constraints of E.U. mutual fund regulations. This innovative structure allowed investors for the first time to allocate to international sectors and to investment managers located outside of the European Union, with the knowledge that the investment’s underlying currency exposure was professionally managed on an ongoing basis.

We develop passive as well as dynamic currency overlay programs for the currency exposures of our clients. These programs are managed by one of the leading currency overlay specialists, with a track record in excess of 20 years and over $2 billion in assets under management.

Legal DisclaimerEmcor Securities Inc. Web Site Terms and Conditions

Binding AgreementPLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS CAREFULLY. By using the Emcor Securities Inc. (“Emcor”) web site, located at http://www.emcor.com/ you agree to be bound by the Terms and Conditions specified below, as they may be amended from time to time. Emcor reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time by posting the amended terms to this web site. Your continued use of the Emcor site constitutes acceptance of the amended terms. If you do not agree with these Terms and Conditions (as amended from time to time) or are dissatisfied with the Emcor site or any other terms, conditions, rules, policies, guidelines or practices of Emcor, your sole and exclusive remedy is to discontinue using the Emcor site.

Emcor Principals

Our principals have decades of active participation in global financial markets, and thoroughly understand economic and geopolitical issues, the relationship between equity markets, fixed-income instruments, currencies and commodities, and how these may impact the outcome of an investment strategy. Our asset allocation decisions combine a global macro view to determine optimal sector weighting and in-depth, bottom-up manager research to optimize results on a risk-adjusted basis. This process is continually reviewed to incorporate new input at the fundamental level as well as the manager/fund level.

Our experience forms the basis of the qualitative analytical process utilized in evaluating investment managers, as well as building and managing fund portfolios specifically targeted to the risk/reward expectations of our clients.

Like many of our clients, we are entrepreneurs. We are independent from other financial institutions. We strive to design and manage flexible, innovative, and creative solutions that meet the present and future needs of our clients.

Emcor’s Advisory Board

Emcor avails itself of the expertise of outside advisors, who have over the years become an integral part of the firm’s management team. These advisors take an active role in the development of strategies related to the firm’s long-term objectives, and provide invaluable insights as to developments in world financial markets, from a local perspective. Their relationship with our principals often spans their entire business career, and we are privileged to have ongoing access to their professional expertise and friendship.

I had chosen PHOENIX Petroleum Philippines as my local organization that practiced best IS.

company profile:Phoenix Petroleum is engaged in the business of trading refined petroleum products, lubricants and other chemical products, operation of oil depots and storage facilities, and allied services, mainly in Southern Philippines. Its products and services are distributed and marketed under the "Phoenix Fuels Life" trademark.

visions:

As the first home-grown major player in the Philippine petroleum industry, company will be:

- The "brand of choice" in Mindanao

- The benchmark for excellence in the petroleum retail industry

- The best value for money and unmatched customer experience

missions:

Make "Phoenix Fuels Life" an experience within reach of every Filipino.

- We deliver a quality of service unrivalled in the industry

- We put our customers first.

- We deliver superior returns to our stakeholders.

- We enrich the quality of life of our people and their families.

- We create opportunities to maximize the potential of the individual.

- We take social responsibility to heart by building programs to nurture the environment and uplift the life of the communities we serve.

my visit:

We visited their company I had the chance to talked to the company's system administrator here in davao office along Mamay Road, Damosa, Lanang, Davao City.

according to the system administrator, the following are the role of IS/IT in their company. primarily their IS handles the INFRASTRUCTURE: this includes: email systems uploading websites installations technical sides plan of operations transportation facilities

another task of their said system is,CONNECTIVITY the IS is used to reached informations to their branches in remmote areas.

OVERVIEW TO PLAN with IS they had play role in decision making. A sort of confirmation and consultation is being done to the system administrator with the company's seniors managers.

ACCOUNTING USAGE system administrator had mentioned about the company's IS user's. Mostly of them are designated personnels in Accounting Department which referred to them as controllers headed by Accounting Manager. other authorized managers the system owner

MANAGEMENT by means of data dissemination, wherein new data and informations that should be implemented are passed through the system.

IS description:

antivirus → software → hardware → data centered

the company has 7 servers two years of usage synchronized processing inputs transactions provide inventories

evidences:

my letter of approval

on the spot taken notes during interview

Last edited by amielou.falcon on Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:26 am; edited 1 time in total

Hubport Interactive Inc. enables a business to build an imperative subsistence in the online B2C (Business-to-Consumer) space. We empower your website to attain optimum function and revolutionize your business by creating online channels to effectively connect with existing clients and successfully tap new ones. Our accomplished E-Commerce Storefront encoders, Retail Shop Managers, Online Marketing Consultants, and Production Team associates provide the technology backbone that launch prospering and profitable websites.

Satellite offices in North America, the U.K., and an upcoming presence in Japan help counter communication, and accessibility issues. Subsequently, creating a smooth working relationship between client and service provider. Projects are delivered on time, with little or no hitches. Our fulfillment teams observe a synchronized shifting schedule to accommodate client concerns at any time most convenient to them. Hubport Interactive Inc. is sensitive to a clients’ web investment margin and his ultimate goal of increasing profits.

Hubport Interactive Inc. has a high regard for service excellence and client satisfaction. Hence, we only have people whose commitment is as fervent as ours. Project managers and fulfillment teams who specialize in Website Development, Web Application Program, E-Commerce Business Process Development and Maintenance, System Software Development, Auto CAD, Animations, Graphics Development, Video Editing, Music and Audio Voice Development, GSM SMS Service, WIFI Mobile Solutions, IT Managerial and IT Marketing Development.

During the interview:

Last July 9, 2009, our group went to the office of Hubport Interactive Incorporated to conduct an interview regarding their best practices in IT/IS. We have interviewed their IT Officer and Chief Operations Officer, Mr. Paulo S. Saravia. Sir Paulo told us that their best practices in IT/IS are the following:

1. If you want to work in Hubport, you should be a certified expert in their fields so that when time comes that changes would occur, it can be properly documented so that you can provide rollback procedures for the company to be stable again.

2. They are implementing security such as using firewall and spywares. It is obviously used for them to secure their data or information they are holding for the company’s business.

3. They are also using a ‘disaster recovery plan” that will be used in case of fire and any kind of disasters.

4. They are also using Biometrics for checking the attendance of their employees.

NOTE: Due to the company’s confidentiality of information, Mr. Paulo had only shared some of their company’s best practices in IT/IS. And actually, someone from Hubport told us that the best of the best practices that a company must possess is confidentiality.

http://www.hubportgroup.com

My Blog:http://etelur.blogspot.com/2009/08/mis-assignment-1.html

Last edited by tere_etelur on Sun Aug 16, 2009 12:02 pm; edited 2 times in total

I chose to make a new version of this assignment to make it better at the same time this would also help for starting of with the second assignment for MIS 1. Because the above version is not done correctly, here is a better version of my first assignment (for me its better than the earlier I've done LOL). The earlier was wrong because we had not visited our company but instead we had just search for their best IS/IT practices on the web which Sir Gamboa did not liked. This time what I did is choose and propose companies which at the same time are the companies I used for the second assignment. I had proposed the companies Hubport Interactive, Far East Seafood, Inc. and GH Office Depot. Sir Gamboa approved Hubport and GH Office Depot for assignment 2. Suppose to be Hubport was my priority for the assignment but unfortunately we were not able to do an interview because the company was not able to call us for a scheduled interview. But fortunately I have a reserve. hehe.

“The company started as small office stationery dealer in 1967. By the grace of God and through its continuous quest for quality and better products to serve its clientele. It has gained the confidence and patronage of its clients. The clientele expanded to what it is today, a big solid majority share in the market. The company opened its door to the general public in 1995 by opening up a modest yet modern retail outfit. A supermarket-type of stationery store. The concept was overwhelming accepted by the general public.The retail outlet and network continue to grow and expand. Today, it is a big business outfit housed in a modern complex with all the convenient facilities and amenities.The GH OFFICE DEPOT carries in its inventory more than 12,000 items of office items to serve its clients. The company keeps on updating and upgrading its list of items to cope up with the current trend in office management. And to serve its clients with the latest and most up-to-date office supplies and equipments.”http://www.ghofficedepot.com/about.htm

I was very glad that some of my classmates also adopted GH for their class sharing, so at least I won't be alone in doing the interview. Since we have the same company we came to GH as a group. Together with my classmates we met Mr. Hector Po who is the IT supervisor for an interview. According to Mr. Po he is the only IT staff in the company. He said that it could be better to have one person to make their system because the more people to do it the more complicated and confusing the constructing of the system will be. If he will only be the one to make a system then he would know everything without anymore consulting to other personnel. In this manner it would be easier to create one.

In our interview Mr. Po discussed to us their company’s best IT practices. Some of which are their systems being used, their own website, technological facilities like cameras, biometric scanner and other. One best practice he pointed to us is that their back-up service of their data. Every time there new input in their system they immediately back-up their files and data, in these manner there would be management of their data and data loss could be reduced.

Now I will discuss each of the stated IT practices Mr. Po relayed to us. First is their system. According to Mr. Po, to finish the company’s system, it took him one year and he only made him by himself. For the system he used Visual Basic and My SQL v. 5.0. This system contains all the company’s data resources like their budget, staff, accounting and many more. They also have a POS or Point of Sale which most establishments commonly use for their cash registers or counter. According to Mr. Po in order to create a good quality system, you need first to identify the needs of the user. Getting information and feedback from the user is the first thing to do and after knowing what the user need, you can now create a good system that is most convenient of the user.

Another is their Cameras. Their cameras can be operated through the web with certain software used that connects to the IP address of the company. This is for the purpose of monitoring what is happening inside the establishment. Their boss could monitor what is happening inside the establishment whenever he is out of town through the internet by connecting to the IP address of their establishment using certain software.

Another IT/IS practice of the company is their website. On their website customers and suppliers could learn more about their company. It contains the company’s profile, their products, and the services they offer. In every company it is really best to have their own website so their customers would be able to get I touch with them.

We also get to see some IT/IS facilities the company has. They have their cash registers with POS, their company’s system program, barcodes scanners and biometrics scanner.

The whole experience was very fulfilling and fun. I have here some snap shots of our interview.

Visit my blog for more pics and details on this post. http://xiibee.blogspot.com/2009/06/mis-assignment-1-company-reflection.html

NCCC as a huge company and provides a large merchandising of products that may also help to up-lift the economic stability of the country today and in the vicinity of future. It is not quite easy to handle simultaneously the assets, production and distribution of the products widely.

Now, to manage contiguously and properly the systems. The management had propose the following best practices as a standard principles provided for the management security, affectivity and efficiency.

List of the Best practices amended:

*PROPER DOCUMENTATION

Proposal of legal papers that sight the objectives and goals for the possible changes that may help for the management progress and expansion. This also serves as evidence in any manipulations undergone by the management.

*PROCEDURES/STEPS

Same as with other methods and process. The NCCC adopt effective procedures before even pursuing an act upon.

Examples:*Hosting Service -website of NCCC hosted outside. *Point of Sales (POS) -acquires efficient distribution. This should be presented by a legalized documentation. *Changes in OS application *Upgrading of System, information and devices.

*POLOCIES

Same as trough with proceedings of any action, there are policies amended within the management to secure its volubility, sales confidentiality and efficiency.

These are some of the common practices that the NCCC management had espoused and apply in every sanction and decisions that the management should face and handle.

Interview person:

Mr. Hervin MiklatNCCC- HD Supervisor

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EMCOR Davao (Engineering Machinery Corporation) is the leading company of and market leader in the field of appliances, electronics and motorcycles. EMCOR is a 100% Filipino company whose primary business activity is the retailing of household appliances and motorcycles through the operation of retail stores in the islands of the Visayas and Mindanao, Philippines. The household appliance product lines consists of popular brands like National/Panasonic, JVC, Philips, Sony, Goldstar, Sharp and Samsung . The motorcycle product group comprises the leading brand in the market like Kawasaki, Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki.

THE INTERVIEW

[justify]On July 6, 2009, we visited EMCOR to conduct a study or interview regarding their MIS Department. After the letter’s approval, we set an appointment with the EDP/MIS Department Manager, Mr. Nilo Ricafort. Upon entering the room, I noticed its mission, Vision and the Seven Creeds. I also found out that the company’s founder and Chairman Emeritus was Mr. J.V. del Rosario. Even if I want to, I wasn’t able to copy the background of the company. However, I was indeed, able to copy their seven Creeds.

1.) How and when did the MIS implemented?

EMCOR started its service along 1985. On 1987, they only have one computer. Mr. Ricafort was trained about it. They contracted with the digital interface. They hired programmers, etc

2.) How does the company’s system developed?

The system was developed along 1998 and 1999 in the preparation of the problem met in 2000. The Y2K problem means on how to input the years 2000 and the succeeding ones.

Along 1998, EMCOR is already internet connected. However, their system is not yet online and decentralized but they are planning to materialize the centralized on. In a centralized system, one branch can view the business transaction of the other. The customer can also pay their account in the other branches without the tedious process and hassles in part of the accounting personnel. He also said that the number of stores is equivalent to the number of databases.

3.) What is the company’s approach in Systems building?

The company is developing its system in in-hours or source out.MIS Department consists of help desk, research and development and the technical. Help desk answers queries, checks transactions, etc. Research and development is responsible for the systems development. Technical is for the hardware failures.

4.) How is it maintained?

There are maintained by their programmers and systems analyst through users, manger’s approval, reports, encoding and debugging processes and others.

He mentioned about the SAP program. It’s a ready-made program that is installed and only developed by the company. He added that they are the ones responsible for its maintenance but the outsiders are for its improvement. He also talked about their data center; which is powered by the IBM.

In Mindanao, EMCOR branches and stores are connected via internet except Tandag and the other one. However, the two have their own servers and back- up systems.

5.) What are the best practices in IT/IS in your company?

Primary are the Security of data, implementing rules and regulations, daily back-ups and religious recovery

Experience can be described as the best way of learning. Definitely! We’ve learned much on our experiences. There are many things that we can never find in the four corners of our house and classrooms. This is what we are practicing in our two subjects this semester. Explore outside the class with regards to Human Resource Management and Management Information System, we are going to update ourselves from posted information through sites online.

In this connection, our first assignment in both subjects is to look for local organizations and discus their best practices in their MIS and HRM Department. We have to propose companies and wait the approval of our professor before we can conduct an ambush interview in their department. Luckily, my proposed company has been approved last July 3, 2009. For the MIS requirement, I have chosen EMCOR Incorporated as my proponent. This will tackle on their best practices in Management Information System (MIS) and the risks associated with business and IS/IT change. But before going down to our discussions, let me give you a brief introduction about EMCOR Incorporated.

EMCOR

EMCOR is a 100% Filipino-owned retail Business Corporation specializing in appliances, furniture, IT products, motorcycles, and money transfer through its network of specialty chain stores in the Visayas, Mindanao, and Palawan areas. With the launching of our online store, EMCOR will now be making its presence known in the online industry and promote its company’s goals and vision to the global community.

EMCOR was founded by JESUS V. del ROSARIO in 1958 and we are currently under the JVR Foundation Inc.—one of the many companies of the JVR Group of Companies. Others include:

We carry a wide array of product lines like Panasonic, JVC, Philips, Sony, Sharp, Samsung, Electrolux, La Germania, Whirlpool, FS Furniture, Sanyo, Canon, Brother, Epson, Toshiba, Acer, Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki and many others. We have also partnered with Western Union for our money transfer services. The core of our existence is our ability to provide high quality service to our customers by providing the right products at the right time, in the right place and at the right price.

We believe that as responsible members of our society, we at EMCOR should pursue our profit objectives in the spirit of service to the community. We believe in reconciling the profit motive of our Company with service to the nation. Thus, we strive to maintain a balance between the interests of our customers, employees, shareholders and the government by supporting national and local agenda for economic development, social reform, educational/scientific research, healthcare and environmental sanitation and preservation. To date, the JVR Foundation has given more than PhP200 Million in philanthropic work.

SERVICES:

1.) Motorcycle Repair

2.) Airconditioning Cleaning

3.) Appliance Repair

4.) Customer Inquiries

Source: http://www.emcor.com.ph/about.php

The INTERVIEW

To give a technical background, EMCOR started to use a manual operation in the early years. It was during the year 1997 that the systems was started to develop. Before the year 2000 took its final fold, they were able to implement the Clipper 87 software for the receivables and inventory. It was then that they realized that the problem on the coming of Y2K could affect their system. Later, they were able to migrate another system with the FoxPRo as their front-end and SQL as their back-end. They’re using MS Windows environment. Hopefully, the long-planned migration to another system would be realized by the end of this year or earlier. It will be a SAP package (I forgot to ask what does it stands for) that includes Sales and Collection Monitoring System that will have to centralize their database in order to render best services to their clientele. Also, they are planning to establish a disaster recovery site that would deal all the transactions taken in case of unintentional shutdown and data loss.

Below are the formulated questions regarding the Management Information System (MIS) of the company’s MIS/EDP that was entertained by the personnel manager himself. He was trained in Digital Interface about programming during his early years in the company and was the first user of the computer in their company.

1.) What are the best practices in Management Information System (MIS) in their company?

According to the interviewee, it is hard to point out if what are the best practices that their department has done to attain their goals but he tries to consider some of their practices that he believes would be best. Like those having back-ups of data in case of unexpected disaster that they might encounter. They have a data security that secures all the data. And also having enough programmers and system analyst who are responsible to control, update, and checked whatever errors that might occurs. They have a Disaster Recovery Procedure that will immediately recover the data in any case that the server might have encounter problems.

Security of the data. EMCOR ensure that there data is secure. They give assurance that their data provides a sense of protection against loss, attack, or harm and precautions taken to keep somebody or something safe from crime, attack, or danger.

Daily Backup. There database provides a copy of computer data that is stored, e.g. a copy stored on a floppy disk, compact disk or any writable materials. In case of shutdown, the company has supported data.

Kept the Data Controlled. Kept the data in check and not expressed fully or at all.

2.) What are the advantages of their Management Information System (MIS) in the company?

Since the company has been using VPN (Virtual Private Network) connections, there is an accurate and fast transferring of data from one store to another and also, since it is private, it is not prone to hacking and stealing of important data. Also it reduces cost and it saves time since transactions will happened too fast than usual.

3.) What are the disadvantages?

One disadvantage is the incorrect data uploading and this would happen usually in system migration. Anyway it’s not really a big problem since they are looking for solutions to possible errors.

4.) Do you think, you won't come this far without this Management Information System (MIS)?

The interviewee says that even without technology, MIS would still exist though not as easy and reliable as of this time. There would still be an MIS, maybe dealing with manual system. But having the opportunity to take advantage of the fast growing technology, MIS also evolves into a more accurate and fast applications that helps the MIS department to achieve its goals with the use of high level techniques and implementations.

The said meeting with the Personnel Manager (as he was quoted yesterday and take note, at EMCOR’s conference room?hehehe...palangga gid!) ended with photo shots. Also, we are allowed to see their IBM X3950 hardware which serves as their server. It’s a large machine connected with other three small computers (serves as a back-ups). It looks like a large Power system case.

the first day we worked on this homework we were really confused on the instruction since what we understand in the posted note by SRG...we had to visit a certain organization having an MIS and conduct an interview... but we are amazed by some of our classmates who posted their answers quickly...but then..as we expected..we had to visit a company.

Me and my classmates...(we decided to make up a group...konuhay...^_^V) decided to roam around Bajada just to take the possiblity it would help us with our homework...we sited AMS Group of companies...but unfurtunately... thier System is outdated...the basic paper-cabinet-secretary system...

The very next day we searched on different companies here in Metro Davao and we sited these following companies:

the first day we worked on this homework we were really confused on the instruction since what we understand in the posted note by SRG...we had to visit a certain organization having an MIS and conduct an interview... but we are amazed by some of our classmates who posted their answers quickly...but then..as we expected..we had to visit a company.

Me and my classmates...(we decided to make up a group...konuhay...^_^V) decided to roam around Bajada just to take the possiblity it would help us with our homework...we sited AMS Group of companies...but unfurtunately... thier System is outdated...the basic paper-cabinet-secretary system...

The very next day we searched on different companies here in Metro Davao and we sited these following companies:

Phoenix Fuel Life

June 24,2009- Me and my classmates roam around Davao City to find some prospect companies for this assignment.First we went to AMS group of Companies but unfurtunately we were rejected.We then decided to make a list of possible companies that could be a good prospect. Trying our luck, we went to Phoenix Fuel depot to conduct ambush interview because we were in a rush. unfurtunately they rejected us.

Lapanday Foods Corporation started its company from humble small seed. the company started the three lots of landfor a banana plantation but unfurtunaletly flourished in 1970s and been abandoned on 1980s because banana eporters were depressed as the world oversuly of banana. Luis F. Lorenzo,Sr.,saw the chances of growing the farm into a fruitful land, the Lorenzos acquired the land Guihing, Lapanday, and Cadeco farms from the Ayala-Aboitiz group in 1982.

They continue to be a reliable supplier of bananas while they strive to gain markets for other fruits and vegetables sourced in the Philippines and abroad. Their international networks deliver their products to more and more buyers in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions, where their brands are increasingly being recognized for freshness, quality, and added value.

Today, Lapanday Foods Corporation is one of the leading fresh food growers int the country.

Best IT practices of the company:

IT infrastructure- businesses nowadays see to it that their data keeping system is good enough to secure data management. The company somehow builds its IT infrastructure to be more complex and support the network to a more smooth and could adopt the challenges of the company.The better the IT infrastructure, the better the business process.

Organizational productivity- Organizational productivity means a lot to every organization. If every single personnel in the organization is lazy,there is no chance for that organization to improve. Good enough for Lapanday Foods Corporation because they promote organizational productivity which means improvement not just for the organizational but also for the employees as well.

Biometrics- Lapanday is using this device in checking the attendance of the employees. Specifically, they are using the Bar Code Attendance System. The bar code can be seen in their ID. The employees just swipe their ID's to the device and the Time In or Time-out will automatically be recorded.

Last edited by Lynneth C. Llemit on Sun Oct 11, 2009 4:14 am; edited 3 times in total

Identify a local organization(s) and discuss some of their best practices in IT/IS ... this should be well-supported with any evidences.

Last June 25, 2009 my classmates and I decided to visit a company for our first assignment in Management Information System. Our first choice was Call Box since it is the nearest call center from our school which has a Management Information System. So we prepared a letter to make it formal and serve as evidence that we really interviewed the MIS Staff or MIS Head of the said company via signature or by photos.

The Call Box Company is located at 9th floor of LandCo building along JP. Laurel Ave. here in Davao City. When we arrived at their office we found the front desk empty. So we waited until someone called the in-charge in the front desk. Then she asked us “Are you applicants?” We got speechless and we didn’t know how to react to her question as if it’s so difficult to answer. Then she answered her own question when she saw our IDs. Then she asked our purpose of visiting their office. We gave her the letter asking their permission to conduct an interview about their Management Information System. Afterwards, she called someone from their MIS department to entertain us. They did entertain us but unfortunately they are so busy that they cannot answer our questions on that moment. They decided to send us the questions through e-mail later on that day.

We waited, but no e-mails came until the next morning.

Evidences:

On the next day, we decided to look for another company. The next on the list was Global Connect e-Solutions, located along J.P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City. Like what we did at the Callbox, we also prepared a letter stating a permission to conduct an interview at their company and as evidence that we really interviewed them. When we arrived at their office, their MIS Head was busy at that time because they were currently having their meeting with the superiors in the company. But he still told us personally to just leave the questions for him to answer when their meeting adjourns.

This time we really need to make sure that we can find someone to interview about our assignment because we are already late for the deadline. The third on the list was Concentrix, but before that, I will discuss first some of the best practices in IT/IS in Global Connect e-Solutions since they help us with our assignment. (Thanks to their MIS Head.)

The best practice in their company is the belief that there is a technique, method, process, activity, incentive as reward that is more effective at delivering a particular outcome than other techniques. He also added that shared knowledge and group performance are their best practise.

We also asked him to define Management Information System and its function in their company. Management Information System for them is a subset of the overall internal control of a business covering the application of people, documents, technologies and procedures by management accountants for solving business problems. Management Information System can include software that helps in decision making, data resources such as databases, the hardware resources of a system, decision support system, people management and project management applications and any computerized processes that enable the department to run efficiently.

Evidences:

The last on the list was Concentrix which is located in Damosa IT Park, Lanang, Davao City. We went there because we thought the Global Connect e-Solutions will not help us. When we arrive there we just stayed outside while one of our classmates, one of the agents on the said company asked the attendant if we could conduct some interview on there MIS Staff/MIS Head. Lucky for us we found our friend Mr. Leo Lubag, also working on that said company. He helped our classmate to approach the MIS Supervisor. Fortunately, he agreed and entertained us. Here are the answers of the MIS Supervisor in Concentrix to our queries and his discussion about the Management Information System of their company.

• Helpdesk – the one assigned in repairing, installing and troubleshooting networking problems. Also with configuration username, accessing, restricting from sites.• Networking Specialist – assigned in deeper aspects of troubleshooting and the mentor. • Senior Network Specialist – responsible for configuration on of servers telephones management access.• Management Information System Supervisor – decision maker for the changes recommendation for all accounts.

As his final words, he stated that the best IT/IS practices in their company is teamwork and it is constantly evolving and for that they are open for changes and upgrades for the improvement of their company.

Evidences:

The experience of visiting those companies was so fun yet so disappointing when you get rejected. We have learned so many things in this assignment and the lessons that we got from it will be kept in our minds for the rest of the semester or shall I say for the rest of our lives…(lolz)

So this journey doesn’t end here, for we will still budge companies’ doors.

We’ve been through ups and downs in choosing companies to conduct our study regarding their IT/IS system. It was yesterday when we find out that we have to post our list of chosen companies in Managerial Information System group. Heavy rains outside made us struggling in finding internet café’s to search the profile of every company we take note. And after a long and winding time waiting for approval, breathe taking acts impulses our nerves as we’ve witness the companies which our professor checked by. Dr. Randy S. Gamboa is the man behind our research papers, for he wants us to know and learn such brilliant papers, systems and flow of works in every company he approved. These are the companies that I posted in our group:

1)Callbox-provide your company with the focused sales efforts it requires. Outsource your sales function to Callbox. Our people are able to determine a business sales solution that will produce optimal results according to your particular need. We can provide a new or complementary sales team and/or simply augment top performers, fill gaps or assist in the evaluation and realignment of an existing team. You will get improved results from an outsourced sales component because our team will bring a level of consistency and best practices to your company that's often too difficult to achieve and maintain with an in-house staff.

2).SM City Davao-is a shopping mall owned and operated by SM Prime Holdings located in the City of Davao. It is the SM SuperMall located in the Mindanao Region. The mall was constructed and opened in November 2001 with a design similar to SM City Pampanga and SM City Cagayan de Oro. It has a land area of 132,000 sq.m and a floor area of 75,440 m².

3). ANFLOCOR-The rise of the ANFLO Group business empire started from a vision of one man, Don Antonio O. Floirendo, Sr., or AOF, as he is fondly called by his employees. AOF's business acumen, inspired by his foresight and gut-feel, enabled him to build a business conglomerate which is proudly Mindanao based.

4).PLDT- Founded on November 28, 1928, Philippine Long Distance Company (PLDT) is the leading telecommunications provider in the Philippines. Through its three principal business groups - fixed line, wireless, and information and communication technology - PLDT offers the largest and most diversified range of telecommunications services across the Philippines’ most extensive fiber optic backbone and fixed line, cellular and satellite networks.

5).ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation- - (ABS-CBN: "Alto Broadcasting System-Chronicle Broadcasting Network") is a Philippine-based multi-media conglomerate. It is an integrated media and entertainment company in the Philippines with 42 subsidiaries and an asset base of more than PHP32.5 billion (US$666.8 million) as of June 2008. Business Description:ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation. The Group's principal activity is that of a media and entertainment company. It is principally involved in television and radio broadcasting. It also produces television programming for domestic and international audiences and other related businesses. The Group has three business segments namely, Broadcasting, Cable and Satellite and Other Businesses. Broadcasting covers the production of television and radio programs that serve its target audience's needs for news, information and entertainment, and public service

6).SkyCable- is a direct-to-home cable TV and subscription service, established by the Lopez Group of Companies and Central CATV Group Of Companies. It is one of several subsidiaries of ABS-CBN.SkyCable has been selling custom tuned downconverters for use in the Microwave Bands since 1995. Additionally wehave been servicing home and commercial satellite reception equipment for a number of years. We sold the R.L. DrakeMMDS Downconverter that are being successfully used around the world. These, however, are now sold out and are no longer available.

7).Bayan Telecommunications, Inc. (BayanTel)- is a telecommunications company serving areas in Metro Manila, Bicol and local exchange service areas in the Visayas and Mindanao regions combined cover a population of over 25 million, nearly 33% of the population of the Philippines.

9).Smart Communications- is a wholly-owned mobile phone subsidiary of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT). Its main focus is to handle the PLDT Group's wireless services business. It operates a nationwide cellular network covering over 99 percent of the population. On April 20, 2008, Smart updated its logo, changing with the new, shortened letter "S", stylized versions of letters "A" & "T", and a new line below the logo.

10).Globe Communications- is a niche agency which is expert in internal and external business communications. The expertise of our agency principals extends beyond public relations theory and their strategic insight stems from decades of experience in business, politics, advertising and media management.

With all these leading offices and companies competing the entire Metro Davao, I personally pick ABS-CBN Corporation for I stand that this company indeed give sufficient information’s about dealing their Information System. Their profile present that “In 2003, during the television station's 50th anniversary, ABS-CBN launched its present slogan, "Kapamilya" (literally means "a member of the family"), which it believes reaffirms the network's commitment to quality programming that will foster the morals and values that are ostensibly upheld in many Filipino families.

They strive to create and deliver programs that are relevant to every audience that are easy to cath up, delivered with warmth and knowledge. Although other companies listed above are proclaim as the best of its best, yet, I maybe have a hard time in visiting their desired office here in the city for them are located kilometers away from the city and our residence. They believe that every people has the right and has a love on e to feel that he is "tunay na kapamilya".

The company started as small office stationery dealer in 1967. By the grace of God and through its continuous quest for quality and better products to serve its clientele. It has gained the confidence and patronage of its clients. The clientele expanded to what it is today, a big solid majority share in the market. The company opened its door to the general public in 1995 by opening up a modest yet modern retail outfit. A supermarket-type of stationery store. The concept was overwhelming accepted by the general public.

The retail outlet and network continue to grow and expand. Today, it is a big business outfit housed in a modern complex with all the convenient facilities and amenities.

The GH OFFICE DEPOT carries in its inventory more than 12,000 items of office items to serve its clients. The company keeps on updating and upgrading its list of items to cope up with the current trend in office management. And to serve its clients with the latest and most up-to-date office supplies and equipment.

http://www.ghofficedepot.com/about.htm

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The company deals/offers school and office supplies in particular. According to its official website, they also offer services such as lamination, photocopying, bookbinding and desktop publishing. To learn more about GH Office Depot, visit their website at http://www.ghofficedepot.com/.

As for my assignment no. 1, I visited GH Office Depot together with my classmates. And we conducted a short interview with the company's 'one and only' IT personnel. It made me wonder why he's the only one working with all the systems. When asked, he answered that it could be better to have one person to work for the system to avoid confusion while debugging for errors.We later asked him about the company's background and their company's best practices in their IT department. According to him, its simply the back upping of files. He said anyone can tell why it is important.

He then elaborated to us the company's different best practices in Information Technology/Information System.

One of them was the IP Cameras and the other is TeleEye Cameras. These are surveillance cameras. They used it for monitoring the employees' performance while the boss is away. The boss can see what's currently happening inside the store because of IP cameras. These cameras were spread in every corner of the building, inside and out. The personnel and his boss can control the movement of the cameras in any position they like. Carefully look at the picture below. I took it while the IT personnel was demonstrating to us how IP cameras work...

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When it comes to their systems and software components, the company has POS or Point of Sale for checkouts and supplies inventory. Most establishments commonly use for their cash registers or counter. And to finish the company’s system, it took him one year to work with it by himself. He used Visual Basic and My SQL v. 5.0. Their system has all the company’s data resources like budgeting, staff profiles, accounting and many more. In order to create a good quality system, one must understand and identify the needs of the user. Getting information and feedback from the user is the first thing to do.

For this organization they have four practices that I could say their best practices.

One is their automated time-in/time-out system that is located outside their office that launched in a personal computer. It is used for the logging in and logging out of the employees of the said company. It used to determine the number of days that the employee has worked for, their absences, overtimes, and under times. It also used as reference in their salaries. I have asked the in charge that it could be easily manipulated for although it is automated, the users have to manually encode the username and password making it easily to manipulate. The in charge said that they knew everyone in the office and it is impossible to be manipulated for they could know if the person is really present or absent. He also shared that they might be using biometrics (using fingerprints for logging in) soon but has been waiting for their big bosses to send the go signal for purchasing the following machine for it could not be purchased immediately for the machine itself is very costly and another system is to be used.

Second best practice of the company is that they have used automated payroll for the auditing, remittances, generating reports and other matters regarding accounting. The company has been using a said accounting system made by their resident programmers that made the accounting matters of the company maybe not that much easier but made it easier. They said that the system that the company is currently using is still at the improvement or modification stage for they are still debugging it for they have been hearing comments and remarks from its users. It is still on process for it to be better.

Third best practice that I could say that the company is applying is their online system that is used to send information/data from the branches to its main office. The said data are the expenses, profit, and other related data that is sent to the main database for accounting purposes. They have been practicing it for it is very tedious from 14 branches to send the data in person. The tedious job that I can say that could occur is that for every branch the company has placed a desktop computer, every time that the said pcs crashes media crash or not, the technicians or even the resident programmers in the main office were sent to the branches to fix the problems.

Fourth and maybe the best of it all (for me cause I find it cool), is that all they have been using (the systems I have mentioned earlier) is that it is in source. It is programmed, developed and implemented by their resident technicians. One of the grounds that I sometimes prefer in source than outsource you could easily alter it if their would be troubles for you had made it yourself and could easily responds to what your company needed because it is designed for it but well according to the report of my classmate that I could only bloat the company’s expenses for you have to hire ITs or even make an ICT Department for its maintenance unlike outsourcing the company made the system could extend their help if their could be any trouble.

Some of the practices that the company has been observing maybe not be that great but for a company who has been automated for just quite some years, it has a big help and impact in their company need to say their employees. Maybe though they could not afford to make use of super hi-tech systems for their bosses are Chinese (JOKE LANG..PEACE OUT..).

• DAVAO DOCTORS HOSPITAL

- Company Background

- Best IT/IS Practices

As for the next company that I will introduce, the Davao Doctors Hospital, I would rather say that it is quite better that the other company I have mentioned. The said company uses three Information Systems that could be said the best practices the company has been applying.

One of the three systems is the Hospital Information Systems that the company uses is their Hospital Information System. It is used in the billing, checking-out, admittance, and gathering of patients and customers information such as first name, last name, medical histories and other related data.

The second one is the Laboratory Information Systems. The said Information System is used during laboratory transactions such as stool exams, urinary exams, sputum exams and other related transactions.

The last but not the least system that they use is the SAP. I forgot the meaning but it is an accounting system. They used it to audit all the transactions that have been made, for salary reference purposes, remittance and etc.

The company has been practicing outsourcing even though they have resident programmers. The use of their resident programmers is to troubleshoot and debug the programs in case of trouble. Also, is to enhance the systems the company has been using to respond to what the said company needs in a system. They practice outsourcing for it would take time to develop the said systems not to mention implementation time, designing, and alterations. I could say that they are better than the other company because their systems are more accurate and responds far more better to what the company needs not to mention it is outsourced.